Breast Lift

A breast lift, also known as a mastopexy, is a cosmetic procedure that removes excess skin in order to lift the breasts, reduce enlarged areolas, reduce sagginess and, overall, restore a more youthful appearance to a woman. For women whose breasts have changed over time due to pregnancy, breastfeeding, aging, weight changes, gravity or just basic genetics, this procedure provides a way to restore the original shape and firmness of her breasts. The best candidates for this surgery are typically healthy, nonsmoking women who are done having children and who are bothered by sagging, flat, stretched or uneven breasts or women whose nipples and areolas tend to point downward.

What Is Involved in a Breast Lift

After a woman has been deemed a good candidate for surgery, she will undergo either intravenous sedation or general anesthesia, depending on Dr. Potyondy’s recommendation. In the breast lift itself, the surgeon will create an incision around the areola, around the areola and downward towards the breast crease or around the areola, down from the breast crease and across from the breast crease. Working at the incision site, Dr. Potyondy can lift, reshape and restore contours and firmness to the breasts, get rid of excess skin, reposition the nipple and areola and improve the look of the breasts. The last step is to close the incisions, tightening the skin in the process.

Recovery Period

Immediately following surgery, a woman will likely have sutures, skin adhesives and/or surgical tape at her incision sites. It is also normal to experience some swelling and to see some incision lines, but these should fade and decrease over time. Instructions regarding dressings, medications and/or activity levels must be followed carefully in order to speed the healing process.

Results of a Breast Lift

While results are immediately visible following a breast lift procedure, final results and healing may take up to a few months to complete. These results are long-lasting, although they may alter slightly with age and gravity. To maintain the best results, patients should practice a healthy lifestyle and avoid drastic weight gain.